The state of the UK high street

The British high street is not dead, but it is definitely on life support. Retail sales fell 2.7 percent in May as households felt the sting of April’s soaring bills, and small shops are bearing the brunt. On my own doorstep, two long-standing independents shut down last month, just more casualties of a system stacked against them. Business rates are high, footfall is low, and online shopping has become the default. Consumers are not just spending differently; they are spending less. But it is not all over. The high street can survive, but only if it evolves. Shops that double as social spaces, offer unique experiences, and build local loyalty will outlast the ones just shifting stock. Add in smarter technology, social media engagement, and councils that stop punishing bricks-and-mortar businesses, and there is still life in the lanes. The high street does not need saving—it needs rethinking.

With many affordable retailers going into administration, the future of high street might mean something different depending on socioeconomic status. Those less affluent are losing here as the sense of escapism and entertainment that shopping has provided is being taken away from them, often leaving them with no alternative.
This social divide also perpetuates antisocial behaviour which many BIDs are struggling with on top of loneliness and mental health issues.
This is where the power of well designed high street is as it is the heart of the community, literally keeping it alive and connected. Close knitted relationships in the community are not only a solution to crime, but also to mental health issues and poverty.
Happy to reply to any additional questions if you'd like more behavioural perspective.

The high street isn’t dying — it’s downsizing into what actually works. Two extremes are surviving: value giants with scale, and niche brands with loyal communities. Everything in between is falling through the cracks. It’s not just about footfall anymore — it’s about clarity. Shoppers want either price, purpose, or experience. If you can’t offer one of those, you fade. The high street isn’t over — but the old model of ‘stock, space, and hope’ absolutely is.

Here in Dorking May was a great month with Westfest the first weekend., where all our pubs came together for a music festival, and then our VE Day event which attracted over 11,000 to the town. Many cafes reported it was their busiest day ever. We also saw at least 3 new shops open with more coming in the next few months.

The high street is very much alive but it needs our support to keep thriving, so go and enjoy everything your High Street has to offer.

As a retailer with six shops in some of the UK’s most historic and best-loved cities, we’ve seen firsthand how fragile the high street ecosystem has become, especially in heritage and tourism-driven locations.

Yes, footfall has dropped in some areas — but it's not simply the result of consumer disinterest. Local authorities must shoulder some of the responsibility. Visitor numbers won’t bounce back unless there’s a genuine incentive to come into city centres. That means better parking solutions (especially affordable and accessible options), well-funded public events that draw people in year-round, and meaningful investment in tourism support services.

In some cities, we’ve seen neighbouring shops close due to soaring rents, short-sighted rate decisions, or simply the lack of joined-up thinking around visitor experience. While hospitality and retail operators are doing their best, we need councils and BID teams to match that effort with bold action, not just lip service.

On my local high street two shops have closed this year. One was a busy bakery and the other a very well established and loved charity shop. I was suprised to see them close and even more so that the shops are still stood empty months later. I'd love to have a Smallkind pop up this year so I enquired about the rents but on getting the figures I can absolutely understand why long standing tenants have left. It's so hard to make a profit as a product business, even online with an industrial unit we're stretched, so if the footfall isn't there and the costs are so high it would be very hard to make a bricks and mortar store work.